SEPTEMBER   2017

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WELCOME TO

POULTON-LE-FYLDE HISTORICAL &  CIVIC SOCIETY,     

founded in 1981 by Rev David Wiseman, minister of Poulton U R C.

The site is intended to give visitors a  flavour of the town and its past, present and future.  We welcome contributions from all those with an interest in the history of Poulton-le-Fylde and its surrounding communities.

 

 

POULTON No 3 SIGNAL BOX

 

The original demolition planning application  17/00598/DEM has been withdrawn for technical reasons and another application will be submitted.    

 

Poulton Historical & Civic Society are interested to note that Network Rail website says.......  

 

“As part of our Community Rail programme, we invite voluntary groups to transform disused railway land in their area including old platforms, land adjoining stations, and land underneath viaducts. Everyone can join us: residents, 'Station Friends' groups, transition town groups, charities, Community Rail Partnerships and local authorities.”

 

 

COMMENTS FROM POULTON & WYRE RAILWAY SOCIETY to POULTON HISTORICAL & CIVIC SOCIETY

 

The signal box could form an integral part of the heritage railway the Poulton & Wyre Railway Society would like to develop between Poulton & Fleetwood. As a group we are not yet in a position to fund the retention of the box and would expect Network Rail to secure it for in the short term.

 

It is vital that the original internal fittings remain in place, as the lever frame is a Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway structure, built at Horwich works (near Bolton) This is completely original and in immaculate condition and should not be allowed to leave Poulton Le Fylde.

 

I would go so far as to say there is nothing mechanical left from the Victorian era in the local area that comes close to its authenticity.

 

If funding could be secured in the short term, the PWRS could develop a small museum inside the signal box based around the lever frame. 

 

Just to clarify, there will be nothing left of this type of signalling equipment on the Fylde coast if Network Rail are allowed to demolish the Signal box.

 

Thank you for your interest in Poulton’s last remaining Signal box. The PWRS have been working hard in the background to save the box however, Network Rail are determined to demolish it to save ongoing maintenance costs.

 

We do understand that the railway is expensive to operate however, we also believe that the box forms an integral part of the station and should be saved.

 

We would like to incorporate it into our heritage railway project and it would form a part of a new heritage station at the site of the former junction. This is a number of years away however, it would be a terrible shame not to save this piece of history for the sake of short term cash saving.

 

It would be the last Signal box on the Fylde Coast and the last box on the Preston & Wyre system.

 

 

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While we wait for Network Rail’s new revised planning application to be submitted to Wyre B. C. it is worth considering objecting direct to Network Rail.   

 

Poulton Historical & Civic Society has been advised that to register our objections to the demolition of the signal box, individual written comments should be  submitted to Network Rail.  

 

 

Network Rail website says.......  

 

As part of our Community Rail programme, we invite voluntary groups to transform disused railway land in their area including old platforms, land adjoining stations, and land underneath viaducts. Everyone can join us: residents, 'Station Friends' groups, transition town groups, charities, Community Rail Partnerships and local authorities.

 

 

 

www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/contact-us.

 

A sample letter to Network Rail:

 

To whom it may concern.

 

In response to comments made by a Network Rails spokesman in a press statement in the local Blackpool Gazette newspaper,  I wish to register my concerns regarding  the proposed demolition of the Poulton No 3 Signal Box located in the Poulton -Le Fylde Conservation Area. 

 

Although the Signal Box is not a listed building it is of significant historical interest to the local community, and railway enthusiasts.  In the press statement Network rail says" It has no option but to demolish an historic Poulton building". The company also fears the box , which is a landmark on the Blackpool to Preston line, would become a target for vandals.

 

The spokesman also said: "Left in situ, Poulton-Le Fylde signal box could become a trigger for trespass, vandalism and anti-social behaviour, particularly given its location in proximity to the station and residential properties. Network Rail also says the cost of retaining a redundant building cannot be justified. 

 

Surely within the overall cost of the electrification of the Blackpool to Preston line, a compromise could be to offset the demolition cost against  the cost making the location secure from trespass and incorporate Poulton -Le Fylde No3 Box structure into one of the 100 plus Community Schemes operated by Network Rail across Britain from Cornwall to the Highlands. 

 

I feel that if Network Rail is committed to its Community Rail programme, then surely Poulton -le- Fylde No 3 Box is an perfect candidate for such a scheme.    I am sure that the Local Authority and the Poulton & Wyre Railway Society in conjunction with the Poulton Historical & Civic Society would  welcome the opportunity to be custodians of this iconic building, as part of our heritage.